I was wondering – now I know who

I was talking with TMEW about the San Diego fires (I have co-workers in that area – some were under mandatory evacuation.  Fortunately, they have all been able to return to their homes, and had homes to return to).  My question to her was "Gee, I wonder who [what nation] is going to offer to assist us?" thinking that the answer would be, as usual "no one".

Very few times do I see other nations, even our closes allies and friends, offer the kind of assistance that we offer to them.  Even to our "enemies’, we are generally quick and with lots to offer.  Even today, I’ve not heard of any of them offer anything (at least, anything I have seen in the MSM).

Until this over at StopTheACLU:

Iraqi Army in Besmaya collected a donation for the San Diego, Calif., fire victims

Iraqi men that are risking their lives everyday and barely have the money to feed their own families are donating to the fire victims of San Diego.

Where is the MSM?

From OpFor, via memeorandum featured posts.

We hear so much of what goes on in Iraq, unless of course it is good news. Then the silence is deafening.

What we do not hear is the generosity of the Iraqi’s towards Americans, their gratitude, their acts of incredible kindness.

Thanks to OPFOR for making sure this story gets some attention.

It may not be much – it might be hardly a pittance in our eyes.  I bet that it is not for them.  Here’s what I found over at OpFor (a milblog I read every day):

Iraqi Army Col. Abbass, the commander of the complex, presented a gift of $1,000 to U.S. Army Col. Darel Maxfield, Besmaya Range Complex officer in charge, Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq, to send to the fire victims in California.

The money was collected from Iraqi officers and enlisted soldiers in Besmaya. In a speech given during the presentation, Col. Abbass stated that he and the Iraqi soldiers were connected with the American people in many ways, and they will not forget the help that the American government has given the Iraqi people. Abbass was honored to participate by sending a simple fund of $1,000 to the American people in San Diego, to lower the suffering felt by the tragedy.

Often, however, that is the best thanks.  And often, that’s all we Americans want to hear – a heartfelt thanks.

From this Dad of a now discharged Iraq deployed Marine – thank you.  We appreciate it.